Suspicion that my landlord isn't reporting rental income to the IRS - what can I do?

You're in a tough situation, but you do have some options. While landlord-tenant laws vary by state, most places recognize that even without a written lease, you still have established tenancy after living there for 6 months with regular payments. This is often called a "month-to-month" tenancy by default. For your immediate need, you might consider creating a simple letter stating that you reside at the address and pay $925 monthly. Ask your landlord to sign it - frame it as "just needing proof of residence" rather than a formal lease, which might seem less threatening to her. If she refuses, you could ask other official entities (utility companies, bank, etc.) for proof of residence documentation instead. Regarding tax reporting concerns, that's a separate issue. The IRS does have a whistleblower program (Form 211) for reporting suspected tax evasion, but consider if this is a bridge you want to burn while still needing housing. Your focus might be better spent on securing alternative housing with proper documentation.

Hey, I dealt with a similar situation last year with an uncooperative landlord who wouldn't provide documentation I needed. I tried everything until I discovered https://taxr.ai which was seriously a game-changer. I uploaded some of my payment records and messages with the landlord, and they helped identify exactly what tenant rights I had in my state without a formal lease. They also provided documentation I could use for my assistance program application - saved me weeks of stress. Their system analyzes your specific situation and provides tailored advice about what documentation you actually need and how to get it. So much better than the generic advice I was getting online. Plus they explained all my options regarding the tax reporting situation in a really clear way.

I've gotta update on my previous skepticism about taxr.ai. After seeing all the comments here, I decided to give it a try since I was also dealing with a landlord documentation issue for my student loan income verification. I was honestly surprised by how helpful it was! They provided me with a residence verification packet that worked perfectly for my needs, even though my landlord was being difficult. The documentation they prepared was accepted without any issues. They also explained which specific tenant rights I had in my state and provided a template for a simple agreement that covered just what I needed. Way more targeted than the general advice I was finding elsewhere. Wish I'd known about this months ago before all the back-and-forth with my landlord.

If your medical needs are urgent and your landlord won't cooperate, you might want to try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation where I needed to verify my housing for benefits and my landlord was avoiding me. Getting nowhere with local tenant resources, I used Claimyr to actually speak with a human at my county housing authority. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c but basically they get you through to actual government representatives much faster. I was connected to someone who explained exactly what alternative documentation would work for my situation when I couldn't get a formal lease. They also helped me understand what agencies could help with landlord disputes in my area.

I need to admit I was totally wrong about Claimyr in my comment above. After posting that, my housing situation got worse and I was desperate to talk to someone at the county housing office about my rights. The wait time was "over 4 hours" so I reluctantly tried Claimyr. It actually worked exactly as advertised. I got a call back when they reached a real person at the housing authority. The representative I spoke with explained that I could use a "Declaration of Tenancy" form with proof of payments as an alternative to a lease for most assistance programs. They also directed me to a tenant advocacy group that helped me draft the document. For anyone in a similar situation - don't waste days on hold like I did. The service saved me literally hours of wait time when I really needed help quickly.

Something else to consider - in many states, if you've been paying rent consistently for months, you already have established tenancy rights regardless of having a formal written lease. Try checking your state's specific tenant rights. You might be able to create a simple written statement documenting your residence and payment history, and get it notarized. For the medical assistance, explain the situation to your healthcare provider or the program administrators. They might accept alternative proof of residence like utility bills in your name, mail received at that address, or a notarized statement.

This happened to my cousin! The landlord was definitely dodging taxes. If you're paying in cash with no receipts and they won't document anything, it's pretty obvious what's happening. My cousin ended up finding a new place because it just wasn't worth the drama. But quick tax question - if someone reports their landlord for tax evasion, does the tenant end up owing any back taxes? Or is it just the landlord who gets in trouble?

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation, especially when your healthcare needs are involved. From what you've described, your landlord's extreme reaction to a reasonable request for documentation is definitely a red flag. Here's what I'd suggest focusing on first: Many medical assistance programs will accept alternative forms of proof of residence when a formal lease isn't available. Contact the program directly and explain your situation - they often have procedures for cases like yours. You can use bank statements showing consistent rent payments, mail received at your address, utility bills (even if not in your name), or a notarized statement documenting your tenancy. For your immediate housing situation, you do have established tenant rights after 6 months of regular payments, even without a written lease. This creates what's legally called a "month-to-month tenancy" in most states. Regarding the tax evasion concern - while the IRS does have reporting mechanisms, consider whether this is the right time to pursue that route while you still need stable housing. Your priority should be securing the documentation you need for your medical care. Once you have alternative housing secured, you can decide whether to report the tax issue. Have you tried reaching out to local tenant advocacy groups? They often have resources and templates that can help in situations exactly like yours.

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation, especially when your healthcare is on the line. Your landlord's extreme reaction to a reasonable request is definitely concerning and suggests she may indeed be avoiding proper documentation for tax reasons. Here are some practical steps you can take right now: **For your immediate documentation needs:** - Contact the medical assistance program directly and explain your situation. Many programs have procedures for cases where landlords won't cooperate - Gather alternative proof: bank statements showing consistent $925 payments, mail received at your address, photos of you at the residence, any text messages with your landlord about rent - Ask if they'll accept a notarized "Declaration of Tenancy" that you can create yourself, documenting your rental arrangement **Know your tenant rights:** - After 6 months of consistent payments, you likely have established tenancy rights in most states, even without a written lease - This creates a legal month-to-month tenancy that gives you certain protections **Regarding the tax situation:** - While you could report suspected tax evasion to the IRS, consider the timing carefully since you still need housing - Focus first on securing your medical documentation, then decide about reporting once you have stable housing **Resources to try:** - Local tenant advocacy groups often have templates and guidance for exactly this situation - Community health centers may have staff who can help navigate assistance program requirements - Legal aid societies sometimes offer free consultations for tenant issues Your healthcare needs should be the priority right now. Once you have that sorted, you can address the broader landlord issues.

I've been through a similar situation and want to emphasize something that hasn't been mentioned yet - start documenting EVERYTHING right now. Take photos of yourself at the property, screenshot any text messages with your landlord about rent, and keep copies of any bank statements or money transfer records showing the $925 payments. Even if your landlord won't cooperate, you can create a paper trail that proves your tenancy. I'd also suggest sending your landlord one more written request (via text or email so you have proof) asking for basic documentation "for medical assistance purposes." If she refuses again, you'll have that refusal in writing. For the medical assistance program, be upfront about your situation when you apply. Explain that you're a month-to-month tenant whose landlord refuses to provide documentation, and include whatever proof you do have. Many programs are familiar with uncooperative landlords and have seen this before. One thing I learned the hard way - don't threaten or mention anything about tax reporting to your landlord while you still live there. That will only make her more defensive and could potentially affect your housing stability. Handle the documentation issue first, secure alternative housing if needed, then decide about any tax reporting later. Your health comes first, and there are definitely ways to get the documentation you need even with an uncooperative landlord.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation, especially when your healthcare needs are at stake. Your landlord's extreme reaction to a reasonable request for documentation is definitely concerning. Here's what I'd focus on first: You likely have established tenant rights after 6 months of consistent payments, even without a written lease. This creates what's called a "month-to-month tenancy" in most states. For your medical assistance documentation needs, try these approaches: - Contact the program directly and explain your situation - many have procedures for uncooperative landlords - Gather alternative proof: bank statements showing the $925 payments, mail at your address, any texts about rent - Ask if they'll accept a notarized "Declaration of Tenancy" that you create yourself Consider reaching out to local tenant advocacy groups or housing counseling agencies - they often have templates and know exactly what documentation medical assistance programs in your area will accept. Regarding the tax situation, while you could report suspected evasion to the IRS, I'd recommend focusing on your immediate healthcare documentation needs first. Once you have stable housing secured, you can decide whether to pursue that separately. Document everything you can right now - photos at the property, payment records, any communication with your landlord. This creates a paper trail proving your tenancy even without her cooperation. Your health comes first, and there are definitely ways to get the proof you need despite having an uncooperative landlord.

I'm really sorry you're going through this frustrating situation, especially when your health needs are involved. Your landlord's extreme reaction to a reasonable request definitely raises red flags. Here's my advice as someone who's dealt with tenant issues: You absolutely have rights even without a formal lease. After 6 months of consistent payments, you've established what's legally called a "month-to-month tenancy" in most states, which gives you legitimate tenant protections. For your immediate medical assistance needs, don't let your landlord's refusal stop you. Contact the program directly and explain your situation - they deal with uncooperative landlords more often than you'd think. Many programs will accept alternative documentation like: - Bank statements showing consistent $925 payments - Mail received at your address - A notarized statement you create documenting your tenancy - Photos proving you live there - Any text messages with your landlord about rent Start documenting everything NOW - screenshot payment records, take photos at the property, save any communications. This creates proof of your tenancy regardless of her cooperation. I'd also recommend contacting local tenant advocacy groups or your state's tenant hotline. They often have templates and know exactly what documentation your area's medical assistance programs will accept. As for the tax evasion concern - while that's definitely worth addressing eventually, focus on securing your healthcare documentation first. Your health comes before any tax reporting considerations. You've got more options than you realize, and there are people and resources available to help you navigate this.